How Much Does It Cost to Run a Well Pump?
A typical Well Pump uses 750W and runs about 2 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $7.52/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Well Pump
Well Pump Costs Depend on Depth and Usage
A shallow well pump (under 25 feet) draws 250-500W. A deep well pump (100-400+ feet) draws 750-2,000W. Deeper wells require more powerful pumps running longer to push water to the surface. A deep well pump serving a family of four might run 2-4 hours per day, costing $4-12/month at the national average rate. The depth of your well is the primary cost determinant.
Leaks and Running Toilets Make the Pump Work Overtime
A well pump only runs when water pressure drops (when a faucet opens, a toilet fills, or a leak exists). A single running toilet can waste 200+ gallons per day, causing the pump to cycle on and off dozens of extra times. This wastes $5-15/month in pump electricity on top of the water waste. Fixing leaks is one of the best ways to reduce well pump electricity costs.
Well Pump vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Well Pump compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Well Pump (this page) | $7.52 | At national average rate, 2hrs/day |
| Shallow well pump (under 25 ft) | ~$2-5 | Lower wattage, less energy per cycle. |
| Deep well pump (100+ ft) | ~$5-15 | Higher wattage, longer run per cycle. Costs vary widely with depth. |
| Variable-speed well pump | ~$3-10 | Adjusts speed to demand. 20-40% more efficient than standard. |
| Municipal water (no pump needed) | $0 pump cost | Water bill replaces electricity cost. Typically $30-70/month for water. |
Well Pump Cost by State
What a Well Pump costs to run at 750W for 2 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $6.67 | $80.03 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $11.4 | $136.84 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $6.21 | $74.57 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $5.68 | $68.2 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $14.13 | $169.61 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $6.86 | $82.3 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $13.21 | $158.49 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $6.86 | $82.3 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $7.14 | $85.7 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $7.03 | $84.4 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $6.35 | $76.25 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $19.44 | $233.33 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $4.89 | $58.7 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $7.37 | $88.4 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $6.8 | $81.65 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $6.4 | $76.84 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $6.74 | $80.89 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $5.79 | $69.5 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $5.39 | $64.69 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $10.29 | $123.5 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $7.25 | $87.05 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $12.94 | $155.3 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $8.44 | $101.3 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $6.9 | $82.84 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $6.19 | $74.3 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $5.9 | $70.85 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $5.6 | $67.23 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $5.39 | $64.69 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $6.76 | $81.16 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $11.4 | $136.84 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $8.44 | $101.3 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $6.69 | $80.3 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $10.29 | $123.5 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $6.29 | $75.49 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $5.34 | $64.1 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $6.9 | $82.84 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $5.39 | $64.69 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $5.9 | $70.85 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $7.59 | $91.1 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $12.2 | $146.45 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $6.74 | $80.89 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $6.19 | $74.3 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $5.79 | $69.5 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $6.74 | $80.89 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $4.89 | $58.7 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $9.6 | $115.24 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $6.9 | $82.84 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $4.84 | $58.1 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $5.9 | $70.85 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $7.64 | $91.69 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $5.05 | $60.64 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Well Pump
- A pressure tank reduces how often the pump cycles on and off
- Fix leaks promptly; even small leaks cause the pump to run more often
- A variable-speed pump uses less energy than a single-speed at partial demand
- Check the pressure switch regularly; a faulty switch causes short-cycling
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical residential well pump costs $3-10/month depending on well depth, pump size, and household water usage. A family of four using 300 gallons/day from a 200-foot deep well with a 750W pump running about 2 hours/day pays roughly $7.50/month at the national average rate. Shallow wells cost less; very deep wells cost more.
No. A well pump runs only when water pressure in the tank drops below a set point (typically 30-40 PSI) and shuts off when pressure reaches 50-60 PSI. In normal use, the pump runs for 1-5 minutes per cycle, several times per day. Total daily run time for a family of four is typically 1-3 hours. If your pump is running constantly, there may be a leak in the system or a faulty pressure switch.
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Electricity cost estimates are based on typical wattage and average residential rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual costs may vary based on your appliance's specific wattage, usage patterns, and your utility's rate structure. See our full disclaimer.